Neometals earlier this year sold its stake in the Mt Marion lithium mine in Western Australia and is focusing on lithium recycling and early-stage titanium-vanadium and nickel projects.
SMS has a global footprint and capabilities in design, construction and operation of metallurgical plant and machinery for industrial processing.
In terms of the agreement, Neometals has granted SMS an exclusive due diligence period to evaluate the results of its pilot trial in its final stages in Canada. This could be followed by a joint venture to commercialise the recycling technology. Activities include the design, manufacture and operation of a 2 t/d demonstration-scale plant at SMS sites in Germany and Austria.
The demonstration test work will run in parallel with an engineering cost study to generate operating and capital cost estimates and market evaluation. Upon successful completion of commercialisation activities, a final investment decision will be considered to construct the first commercial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling plant.